Abstract: Systems and methods of coatings for reflective surfaces. An optical system includes a reflective surface for reflecting optical energy and a transparent coating disposed upon the reflective surface. The coating may be characterized as more chemically inert than the reflective surface in an operating environment of the reflector. The coating may be characterized as harder than the reflective surface. The coating may be characterized as more refractory than the reflective surface. The coating may include diamond like carbon and/or other tetrahedrally bonded stable material, e.g., silicon carbide.

Abstract: Systems and methods of coatings for semiconductor processing equipment. A semiconductor substrate processing system includes an enclosure for containing a semiconductor processing gas. The enclosure has an interior surface that is at least partially coated with a Silicon carbide coating to a desired thickness. The enclosure may be inlet piping for conveying the semiconductor processing gas to a processing chamber for processing the semiconductor substrate, a processing chamber and/or an exhaust flume for conveying used semiconductor processing gas away from a processing chamber. The interior surface may include additional coatings comprising Silicon and/or diamond like Carbon.

Abstract: Accordingly, systems and methods of thin diamond like coatings for semiconductor processing equipment. A semiconductor substrate processing system includes an enclosure for containing a semiconductor processing gas. The enclosure has an interior surface that is at least partially coated with a diamond-like Carbon coating to a desired thickness that is less than about 0.5 ?m.

Abstract: A composite silicon dioxide layer with a reduced dielectric constant is formed by enhancing the surface sensitivity of a PECVD liner layer with activated oxygen. Pores form in an SACVD layer of silicon dioxide deposited from a TEOS precursor over the sensitized PECVD layer. The pores reduce the dielectric constant of the composite layer. Activated oxygen is provided to the PECVD layer in the form of ozone or an oxygen-based plasma.

Abstract: A lamp array for a thermal processing chamber. The lamp array includes a plurality of lamps arranged in a generally circular array. The plurality of lamps can be arranged in one or more concentric rings to form a generally circular array. Additional lamp arrays can be provided adjacent the circumference of the circular array or outermost concentric ring to provide a generally rectangular heating pattern. At least one row of lamps can be provided tangentially to the circular portion of the lamp array to provide preheating or postheating of process gases in the flow direction of a rectangular processing chamber.

Abstract: An improved delineation pattern for epitaxial depositions is created by forming a mask on a single-crystal silicon substrate which leaves an area (10) of the substrate exposed, doping the area with a dopant to create a doped region defined by a periphery, anisotropically, vertically etching the doped region to create a delineation pattern corresponding to the periphery, and then forming an epitaxial layer over the substrate and doped region. The periphery of the delineation pattern has a squared-off delineation step including a first step wall generally perpendicular to the surface of the substrate and a second step wall generally parallel to the surface of the substrate. The squared-off delineation step helps prevent wash-out of the delineation pattern as one or more epitaxial layers are deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A composite silicon dioxide layer with a reduced dielectric constant is formed by enhancing the surface sensitivity of a PECVD liner layer with activated oxygen. Pores form in an SACVD layer of silicon dioxide deposited from a TEOS precursor over the sensitized PECVD layer. The pores reduce the dielectric constant of the composite layer. Activated oxygen is provided to the PECVD layer in the form of ozone or an oxygen-based plasma.

Abstract: A substrate processing system including a vacuum chamber; a pedestal which holds a substrate during processing; and a gas distribution structure which during processing is located adjacent to and distributes a process gas onto a surface of the substrate that is held on the pedestal for processing. The gas distribution structure includes a gas distribution faceplate including a plurality of gas distribution holes formed therethrough, wherein the holes of at least a first set of the plurality of holes pass through the faceplate at angles other than perpendicular to the surface of substrate.

Abstract: A thermal reactor system for semiconductor processing incorporates a reaction vessel with a rectangular quartz tube with reinforcing parallel quartz gussets. The gussets enable sub-ambient pressure processing, while the rectangular tube maximizes reactant gas flow uniformity over a wafer being processed. The gussets facilitate effective cooling, while minimally impairing heating of the wafer by allowing minimal wall thickness. The thermal reactor system further includes a gas source for supplying reactant gas and an exhaust handling system for removing spent gases from and establishing a reduced pressure within the reaction vessel. An array of infrared lamps is used to radiate energy through the quartz tube; the lamps are arranged in a staggered relation relative to the quartz gussets to minimize shadowing. In addition, other non-cylindrical gusseted vessel geometries are disclosed which provide for improved sub-ambient pressure thermal processing of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A reflector array employs a number of linear, tubular heater lamps arranged in a circle concentric with the substrate to be heated. Some of the lamps have focusing reflectors and the remainder have dispersive reflectors. A peripheral cylindrical reflector surrounds the lamps and their associated reflectors. The combined reflectors permit balancing the thermal radiation intensity across the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal reactor system for semiconductor processing incorporates a reaction vessel with a rectangular quartz tube with reinforcing parallel quartz gussets. The gussets enable sub-ambient pressure processing, while the rectangular tube maximizes reactant gas flow uniformity over a wafer being processed. The gussets facilitate effective cooling, while minimally impairing heating of the wafer by allowing minimal wall thickness. The thermal reactor system further includes a gas source for supplying reactant gas and an exhaust handling system for removing spent gases from and establishing a reduced pressure within the reaction vessel. An array of infrared lamps is used to radiate energy through the quartz tube; the lamps are arranged in a staggered relation relative to the quartz gussets to minimize shadowing. In addition, other non-cylindrical gusseted vessel geometries are disclosed which provide for improved sub-ambient pressure thermal processing of semiconductor wafers.